What is Lavado Cacao?

When most people think of ceremonial cacao, they imagine fermented cacao made into blocks or paste.

Lavado cacao is completely different.

Instead of allowing the fresh cacao beans to ferment, the beans are traditionally washed in flowing river water immediately after harvesting before being naturally sun-dried. This ancient process produces a cacao unlike almost anything else available today.

The result is a bold, clean cup with deep notes of dark chocolate, roasted cacao and black coffee.

At Nature's Joint, we're proud to be among the first companies bringing authentic Organic Mexican Lavado Cacao to the UK in an easy-to-use granulated format.

Where Does Lavado Cacao Come From?

Lavado cacao comes from Soconusco, Chiapas, on Mexico's Pacific coast.

This region isn't just another cacao-growing area.

Many historians consider Soconusco to be one of the earliest documented centres of cacao cultivation in the world. Archaeological evidence suggests cacao was being prepared here by the Mokaya civilisation over 3,500 years ago, long before the rise of the Aztec Empire.

Later, Soconusco became one of the most prized cacao-producing regions in Mesoamerica, with its cacao reserved for nobility, ceremonies and tribute.

Today, this traditional washing method continues to survive through a small number of dedicated producers.

Why Is Mexican Cacao So Rare?

Although cacao is deeply woven into Mexico's history, the country produces only a small share of the world's cacao.

Even more remarkably, much of Mexico's cacao is consumed domestically, meaning relatively little is exported compared with the world's largest cacao-exporting nations.

That makes authentic Mexican-origin ceremonial cacao surprisingly difficult to find outside Mexico.

Finding traditional Lavado cacao is rarer still.

What Makes Lavado Different?

Most ceremonial cacao follows the same process:

Harvest → Ferment → Dry → Roast → Grind

Lavado cacao follows a completely different path:

Harvest → Wash → Sun Dry → Roast → Grind

By skipping fermentation, Lavado cacao develops its own distinctive character.

Flavour Profile

• Rich dark chocolate
• Roasted cacao
• Black coffee
• Earthy notes
• Pleasant natural bitterness
• Long clean finish

It isn't sweet.

It isn't fruity.

It's bold, authentic and beautifully complex.

Naturally Rich in Beneficial Plant Compounds

One of the things that impressed us most about this cacao was its nutritional profile.

Every batch contains naturally high levels of cacao's most researched compounds.

Per 15g Daily Serving

• 570mg Polyphenols
• 115mg Epicatechin
• 165mg Theobromine
• 34,980 µmol Antioxidants

Per 50g Ceremonial Serving

• 1,900mg Polyphenols
• 380mg Epicatechin
• 550mg Theobromine
• 116,600 µmol Antioxidants

Lavado cacao is also naturally rich in:

• Magnesium
• Iron
• Potassium
• Copper
• Manganese
• Dietary fibre

These compounds are among the reasons cacao has become one of the world's most researched plant foods.

Why We Love Granulated Cacao

Traditionally, ceremonial cacao comes as a solid block.

We've introduced our Mexican Lavado cacao in a granulated format.

This means it:

• Dissolves faster
• Is easier to measure
• Mixes effortlessly
• Makes preparing cacao much simpler

You still receive exactly the same 100% cacao—just in a more convenient form.

A Little Goes a Long Way

Lavado cacao has an incredibly bold flavour.

Because it's naturally rich and full-bodied, many people find that around 15g is enough to make a satisfying daily cup, meaning each bag lasts much longer than expected.

For ceremonial servings, many people choose between 40–50g depending on personal preference.

Why Nature's Joint Chose Lavado Cacao

We spent years searching for something genuinely different.

When we discovered traditional Lavado cacao in Soconusco, we knew we'd found something special.

We weren't looking for the easiest product to source.

We were looking for cacao with:

• Authentic heritage
• Traditional production methods
• Exceptional flavour
• Transparency
• Direct relationships
• Outstanding nutritional quality

That's exactly what we found.

Experience One of Mexico's Best-Kept Secrets

Authentic Organic Mexican Lavado Cacao remains one of the rarest ceremonial cacaos available outside Mexico.

We're incredibly proud to help preserve this remarkable tradition while sharing it with our community.

If you're looking to experience cacao in one of its most traditional forms, we'd love you to try it.